USA > Iowa > Allamakee County > Past and present of Allamakee county, Iowa. A record of settlement, organization, progress and achievement, Vol. I > Part 46
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55
Peter Wuest and Joseph Urmersbach ran the Metropolitan saloon, always known as "Pete and Joe's." Their business was very extensive, the place being always crowded. Pete raised several fine boys, who became prominent in business affairs at Sioux Falls.
461
PAST AND PRESENT OF ALLAMAKEE COUNTY
R. P. Spencer, while hardware was his line, looked after auction business in addition. He was a gifted man; if inclined to pluck the feathers from the tail of the eagle at times, he was a witty talker, and whether at a political meeting, an auction, or a prayer meeting, was not at a loss to make some remarks, and good ones at that.
Michael Healy was a noted man, particularly in the famous county seat con- tests of prior years, in which he took an active part, being the treasurer for a time. He was a successful auctioneer, real estate man, and in other lines. He raised two splendid boys, who became very prominent in state affairs, after they had grown to manhood at Fort Dodge, where the family located. The father passed away within a year.
Clark Wier was a keen, clear-headed man of business, most liberal in any movement in which the interests of the town were involved. He brought to the place the first soda fountain.
Phillip Bockfinger was the head of a business of magnitude, and a most ex- cellent citizen. He raised several boys, who became prominent in affairs in other localities.
Darwin L. Shaw had much to do with business affairs of the place, in lumber merchandise, grain, etc. At one time his interests in timber lands were extensive, in addition to those activities which lie controlled in the town. He was a man of very positive views, which he could express without being misunderstood, as occasion required ; socially his home was of most generous hospitality.
Thomas C. Medary (everybody knew him as "Tom") was a "natural-born" newspaper man. He was essentially a local writer; he cared little for any other branch of editorial writing. He was gifted with a sense of humor that gave to his paper an individuality, and justly entitled him to be regarded as one of the very best local writers of the state. He was an original character, never at a loss to say a witty thing in a humorous, interesting way. It was an event of little importance in the county if he did not 'take a prominent place therein, and he "had a nose for news" such as few reporters could hope to excel, if indeed to approach. We were rivals in business, for a time, and, like other newspaper folk, occasionally indulged in printed fireworks; but no one could do otherwise than admire his genial personality and forget his faults, which were not of the heart. He reared a fine family, and his newspaper mantle has worthily fallen upon a son.
Peter Karberg established and conducted a paper, printed in German and English, for a time. He had been a mail agent on the railroad north from Dubuque, and resided at Guttenberg, before removing to Lansing. He had con- siderable ability, and was a fine-looking man.
Mat Simon was a celebrity as a saloonist, and kept a resort which was head- . quarters for a lot of folk, who enjoyed the liquid and solid refreshments he dis- (
462
PAST AND PRESENT OF ALLAMAKEE COUNTY
pensed at his counter. He was a practical joker. One April first the room was crowded, and among others Peter Karberg accepted Mat's invitation to "take a sausage," which however the latter had filled with sawdust. The angriest man in seven states could not have held a candle to Peter, but all the rest laughed at and guyed him.
Charles A. Gardner was the first railroad agent, and a very good one, too. lle was a fine fellow, very popular, and took a part in all the affairs of the town when help was appreciated. He has since been located in various places, and is now at Dallas, Texas.
D. D. Doe opened the Dudley House, and gave the town the best hotel in its history. Mr. Doe handled in addition a stock of groceries. He decided after a time to dispose of his interests, and I printed for him an advertisement worded about as follows : "For sale-my business interests in Lansing, consisting of, etc. Any one, a firm believer in the virtues of barley juice and vinegar bitters, will find here a congenial opening," etc. The grim humor is evident when it is re- called that Mr. Doe was by no means a convert to the popular theory that lager beer is delectable and a necessity ; and at the time it was the rule for every one to regularly shake with ague, a remedy for which was the extensively advertised nostrum he named, and held in much contempt.
Political lines were so closely drawn that a half-dozen ballots might decide a contest. One of the most famous was that between Capt. James Ruth (republican) and James Palmer (democrat ) for the office of sheriff. Both were extremely popular, worthy men, and made strong efforts, in which their friends joined enthusiastically. The result was (I speak only from recollection, and my figures may be slightly inaccurate) six votes for Palmer in excess of those for Ruth. There was an informality in the returns from one of the town- ships, adjacent to Makee, and a special election was ordered, for that township, at which Palmer came out ahead some three or four votes.
John G. Orr ("Greg," as he was called by everybody) was postmaster at Lansing, an extremely popular man, accommodating, kind-hearted, and a good officer. In addition, he had revenue stamps in charge, and held one or more local positions. One Saturday night, as the steamer bound south landed at the pier, I happened to be there, and Orr came somewhat hurriedly down the street, valise in hand, and casually remarked to me, as he walked aboard the boat, "I'm going down to Dubuque for a little trip." I thought but little of the matter, as it was an ordinary occurrence for persons to make like trips, and Orr always had in hand a lot of political schemes. So far as I am aware, nobody in that town ever saw or heard of his whereabouts thereafter ! He disappeared as com- pletely as if swallowed up in the ocean. I am quite confident that his relatives (he left a wife and family behind, and other connections) were absolutely igno- rant of what became of him, at least during several years after his disappearance. The mystery of the trip was very soon solved, as, when he failed to return within a day or so, an examination of his accounts led to the discovery that he was short some hundreds of dollars-it is my recollection that the total (he was
463
PAST AND PRESENT OF ALLAMAKEE COUNTY
a defaulter on each of his bonds) was somewhat about $1,500. An inspector soon arrived, and the deficiency had to be made good by the friends whom he had so grossly treated. It was a mystery how he had used so large a sum, but it was partially explained by the fact that when he made his too numerous visits to the saloons, he called up all the "boys" who happened to be about and, from the bulg- ing pocketbook he always carried, forgot to differentiate between the cash be- longing to Uncle Sam and his own !
The Chronicle was the other paper published in Lansing, by Dr. John I. Taylor, an old-timer, hale fellow well met with everybody, and known by most folk throughout that neck of woods as "Doc." He was an original character, rugged, full of humor, and a past master in political finesse, somewhat unscrupu- lous about ways and means to gain an end politically. He did not know a "shoot- ing stick" from an "italic quad," and was only an indifferent writer. The office building was destroyed by fire. An edition had just been printed; the forms were on the marble slab, called the "stone;" empty barrels were handy, and by- standers scraped the platter clean by shoving everything off the stone into these barrels, and in them was dumped everything else that came handiest. Such a mess was never seen! I bought from Taylor the entire outfit-list, business, barrels of stuff, etc., and caused the material to be patiently assorted, with con- siderable financial advantage. I added the word "Chronicle," and the name was "Mirror and Chronicle" for a short time.
New Albin came into this life with advent of the railroad. Dr. Taylor and his son started a paper there, but I do not remember its name, nor what became of it.
John Dunlevy was a boy in the Mirror office when I took charge of it. He was an excellent printer, and turned out good job work. Later he and his brother had a paper at Spring Grove, Minnesota, but removed it to Lansing, and it became the Allamakee Journal, now published, and both brothers are well qualified, practical newspaper men.
I cannot recollect when or under what circumstances Robert V. Shurley en- gaged in newspaper business in Lansing. He had been with the Dubuque Her- ald, and was a capable printer and editor. Whether S. G. Sherburne, and his son came later, or preceded Shurley, my memory fails to prompt me; nor do I re- member where they went nor when they left the town.
E. A. Blum ("Gus") came from Rossville, and was a business hustler. He was afterward a member of the board of supervisors, and is now a resident of Omaha. He was a fine fellow, universally well liked.
. L. M. Elmendorf ("Dorf") handled a thriving jewelry trade, and later went to and died in San Francisco.
It was my privilege to instruct in the art preservative several fine boys, notably one whose short legs would not permit of standing at the "case," and who of
464
PAST AND PRESENT OF ALLAMAKEE COUNTY
necessity was perched upon a candle-box! I took him as a "cub" with some mis- giving, on account of his youth, but it is a pleasure to now say that a better boy never smelled printers' ink than Andrew P. Bock, now running a paper of his own, the Waukon Republican. He was the most industrious little chap; always good-natured ; seldom spoke except when spoken to; willing, keen to watch for something to be done, and to do it, without being asked to do so. He soon became a first-class job printer, and a thorough all-around newspaper man, and I recall only with pleasure every recollection of this fine boy.
George H. Bryant was a dealer in shoes. Along during the old times when political affairs were strenuous, an occasion presented itself when it became nec- essary to find a strong man as candidate for county treasurer. He was an ardent republican, and one day we happened to discuss this matter, both unable to sug- gest an available candidate. Suddenly I thought "Thou art the man," and at once told him so, with enthusiasm, as he was certainly one of the best and most popu- lar citizens of the county. He was rather averse to being a candidate, but finally authorized the presentation of his name at the convention, which was done, and with a result very gratifying, as his name and prestige added largely to the strength of the ticket, and carried it through in fine shape. I felt much gratified because of having a part in bringing into public life such an excellent man, who continued to serve the public for a number of years, and yet resides at Waukon.
For a time it seemed that Lansing was doomed to destruction, as the work of an incendiary. First, the buildings at and adjoining the corner of Main and Third streets were burned, followed by several deliberate attempts to fire other buildings. There was a period when it seemed unsafe to retire at night, for fear one's home might be fired, and citizens patrolled the streets. The person guilty of these crimes was not discovered. Later, the entire block on Main, between Second and Third streets, the best block in the town, was destroyed, causing great financial loss and distress for those who owned or occupied the property. The fire occurred on Saturday. I was traveling in the South, and on Sunday reached my destination (Mobile) at noon. Shortly before that hour I bought a New Orleans newspaper, glanced over it casually, and placed it aside to be read later. It was 2 o'clock, when seated upon the hotel balcony, dozing in my chair, my eye suddenly caught a telegram in the paper, from La Crosse, to the effect that the town of Lansing had been practically destroyed, and giving quite a lengthy list of the names of property owners, all more or less incorrect, but sufficiently accurate for me to recognize them. While the Mirror plant was listed. I felt more anxiety about my family, not knowing what extent the damage might have been, nor what other parts of the town might have suffered. I wired for assurances in this direction, but could not receive a reply until I reached New Orleans, next afternoon, nor could I possibly reach Lansing until the fol- lowing Friday. I found the material of the Mirror office, with exception of a small quantity hurriedly removed from the building, in the cellar of the bank below, the presses being merely masses of twisted iron, and everything at all combustible destroyed. My loss was complete, over and above the nominal insurance carried.
465
PAST AND PRESENT OF ALLAMAKEE COUNTY
The first sensational event which transpired after my taking editorial charge of the Mirror was a murder, which took place on an island, immediately opposite Lansing, where a houseboat was moored, occupied by disreputable characters, one of whom was killed by a young fellow named Rose. It furnished material for some columns, but I do not call to mind particulars, nor the punishment for the crime.
The county seat relocation contests were strenuous times, not so full of peril and sensation as the famous removal of records, but confined to a battle at the ballot box. There was a surprising increase in the number of voters in the town- ships adjacent to Waukon, and likewise in the returns from Lansing! It was a good-natured battle royal, however, and not without some very humorous situa- tions. Charlie (I cannot recall his name), a well-known drummer of Du- buque, walked up to the voting place, after dark, his face partially concealed by a muffler, and offered a ballot. "What is your name?" inquired the judge of elec- tion, a well-known citizen. "Terrence Muldoon, sir," answered the party at the window, and in his ballot was passed and accepted ! It was of course an improper thing, but carried out rather as a lark than otherwise, and had no material bear- ing upon the result, else it might have been serious. A drove of railroad men, working on the construction of the line, cast solid ballots; we republicans had to grin and bear it, as all were "for Lansing," but at the same time solidly democratic.
John B. Thorp came also from "York State," as was the case with so many Lansing folk, and was in business with Geo. Bryant. Some men are born gen- tlemen ; John Thorp was one. Unassuming in manner, rather reticent in speech, he had a great big heart. At the weekly dances, which became a feature in our social affairs for years, he seemed to always have in mind those ladies who ap- parently were less in demand as partners, and singled them out for special cour- tesy and politeness. He would thus spend an entire evening, considerate to others, and having in that way enjoyment of a character he appreciated best.
It will not be thought that I am invidious if I particularly mention one family by name, when I might speak of all other families in the place as hospitable. But this grace was especially conspicuous in the home of S. H. Hazleton. I think his wife and himself entertained more persons than any other family, as it was seldom the case they were without visitors, and they reckoned upon having as their guests every one who came back to the place, after removing elsewhere. as well as their great circle of friends at Waukon and elsewhere. I am sure that they will be remembered as princes of hospitality, as they also were regarded as among the most excellent people.
These notes have been unconsciously extended beyond the limit they doubt- less should have had. It has seemed impossible to undertake mention of those I know best in these old times without including those I have named. As I wrote of one, memory would suddenly bring to mind another.
"Lulled in the countless chambers of the brain, Our thoughts are linked by many a hidden chain.
466
PAST AND PRESENT OF ALLAMAKEE COUNTY
Awake but one, and lo! what myriads rise ! Each stamps its image as the other flies."
If I were to attempt to write of all the many events I deem to have been interesting; of all the individuals who helped to make history in Allamakee county. as I remember them, the patience of the reader might become exhausted, and yet the half be not told.
I wish these random thoughts might have been clothed in more suitable words, "What I have writ I have writ-would it were worthier." J. T. M.
PEARL BUTTON INDUSTRY
Ever active in industrial enterprise, and prominent for many years among the lumber manufacturing towns along the river, when the sawmill upon which so many of her people depended for a livelihood was doomed by the failure of the supply from the logging camps, Lansing was fortunate to find at her door a new field for the employment of labor.
In May, 1899, the first pearl button factory in Lansing was started by Mr. J. M. Turner, and this industry has since grown until it embraces three plants, employing many hands, largely young women, and having an invested capital of thousands of dollars.
In 1898 the first clam shells for the manufacture of pearl buttons were gath- ered near Lansing in a primitive fashion, by hand, or by means of iron rakes. From this beginning the demand has grown to thousands of tons, and the crude methods of gathering the mussels have been supplanted by improved devices. In summer the river for miles north and south of Lansing is dotted with the small flat-boats of the clam fishers; and in winter the mussels are fished through holes cut in the ice.
The greatest shell territory is from ten miles north of Lansing to the mouth of the Wisconsin river, thirty miles or more to the south. This includes the largest series of shell beds between St. Paul and St. Louis. However, the mus- sels are fast becoming depleted all along the river, and investigations are in progress to ascertain a possible remedy therefor. Ten years ago the two fac- tories at Lansing used from twelve to fourteen hundred tons annually.
At first Captain Turner put in a twelve-saw plant for cutting the rough but- tons, or "blanks" as they are called. Three years later he was running thirty- six saws, employing, all told, forty-two men. The factory is in operation the year round.
The Capoli Button Works was established by Nielander & Company, and is one of the most complete plants of its kind along the river, being fully equipped for the industry of buttonmaking through its various stages to the finished product, ready for our clothing. The factory is located in the south part of Lansing, and has everything for the health and comfort of its employees, and the most modern machinery to do the work. In 1902 this factory employed seventy-five people, summer and winter. A multigraph machine has lately been added to the office appointments at a cost of $500.
An important by-product of the clamming industry is the poultry food made from the crushed clam-shells after the buttons have been sawed out. The Cap-
467
PAST AND PRESENT OF ALLAMAKEE COUNTY
tain Turner factory for this purpose now has an output of about twelve tons per day.
A source of great profit to some fortunate individuals is the finding of an occasional "pearl of great price" which well repays the clammer for many months of discomforts and exposure in this calling.
A third concern engaged in this industry is the New Jersey Button Works, employing a cutting force of about fifty men. Wm. Ritchie, the manager, is now figuring on a large addition to their plant.
Certain kinds of clam shells are now bringing $50 per ton here. Many people can remember when they were a drug on the market at $6.00.
EARLY BUSINESS ITEMS
The pioneer manufacturer of Lansing was Elisha Hale, who came in 1851 and put up a frame factory on the river bank nearly opposite the Turner resi- dence. In 1856 H. H. Hemenway entered into partnership with Mr. Hale, purchased his interest in '58, and continued the manufacture of farming imple- ments with Abner Wood, until 1868, when they sold to S. W. and A. G. Hemen- way. Of recent years the buildings have been occupied by L. O. Rud's wagon factory, now sold to other parties.
Lansing steam saw and planing mill was the great institution that helped build up the town. It was run by Shaw, Johnstone, Wood & Co .; and by D. L. & S. V. Shaw; in 1868 by Hemenway, Wood & Co., later Hemenway, Barclay & Co. It was one of the largest on the river, running a force of 230 men and turning out 140,000 feet of lumber per day. Later the firm became the Lansing Lumber Company, John Robson going into the firm in 1884. The mill shut down in 1893.
In 1854 Nielander, Schierholz & Co. established the "Dutch Store," which grew into the mercantile house of Nielander & Company of recent years, a fuller ac- count of which is given elsewhere.
In the fall of 1856 was the beginning of another noted firm which has endured until this time under the same name, that of G. Kerndt & Bros. In '59 they built a warehouse on the levee and entered the grain trade. In '61 built the three-story brick store which they doubled in size five years later. In '68 they built a brick elevator. Those were great days for wheat; with fourteen warehouses farmers had to wait to unload. The Kerndts' biographies appear elsewhere. Of the three original partners Gustav died in 1873, William in 1898, and Moritz is still hale and strong.
The first lumber brought to Lansing was from Galena, and used in the log cabin built by John Haney, Sr., in the fall of 1848. The first brought in for sale was by G. W. Carver in 1851, and the first he sold was for a house on the present county farm, fourteen miles out.
M. Travis ran the sash factory and planing mill. It was burned down in 1872, and rebuilt with John Plein in partnership. It ceased to be remunerative and was finally abandoned, and the old building torn down about the year 1900.
Bockfinger & Boeckemeier in 1860 established a plant for manufacture of wagons, etc., and did an extensive business. The old buildings are still occu- pied in a similar line of trade, by Spinner Bros.
468
PAST AND PRESENT OF ALLAMAKEE COUNTY
In the sixties Chas. Hellbeck operated the Lansing Iron Works, and were succeeded by Boeckh, Luger & Co., who manufactured the Eureka Turbine Water Wheel. Rieth & Boeckh built a large brick foundry in 1868.
Wm. Manger came about 1860 and operated a steam factory for the manu- facture of furniture. "Manger's Mill" on the bank of the river above town be- came a landmark. It was torn down about 1900.
Julius Kerndt and Jacob Haas were early brewers. In 1869 Mr. Haas re- moved the old building and erected a large brick brewery building at a cost of $14,000. Together with malt house, ice house, powerhouse, and underground vaults, with a residence, required an outlay of over $35,000. When the prohi- bition law was enforced in 1886 it became idle, and so remained until 1903 when it was sold for $1,000.
In a recent issue of the Lansing Mirror appears a fac simile of an old bill of lading made out in the handwriting of Gen. U. S. Grant, then in the leather house of his father, J. R. Grant, at Galena, Illinois, and copied from an article in the Chicago Inter Ocean. The bill of lading is dated May 8, 1860, and the shipment was by the "good steamboat called War Eagle" to J. W. Page, a har- ness dealer whose shop in Lansing was located next door to Nachtwey's drug store, and also near the corner of Main and Third streets. The Page home was a little east of the Methodist church, adjoining the Hays property. The family removed from Lansing and Mr. Page has been dead many years. It is an interest- ing souvenir.
In 1867, the first enumeration in which it appears separate from the township. Lansing city had a population of 1,538. In 1875 it had reached 2,280. But like most Iowa towns it has since decreased, being but 1.542 by the 1910 census, which is an increase, however, over that of 1900.
CHAPTER XXII
POSTVILLE AND POST TOWNSHIP
This history of Postville is practically that of Post township, so they cannot well be treated separately. The township comprises the congressional township No. 96 north, range 6 west of the 5th P. M., being in the extreme southwest corner of the county. Mr. A. R. Prescott was the early historian of Postville, and with his permission the editor has used his excellent sketch published thirty years ago as the basis of this chapter, with such additions or emendations as seem to be demanded by later events and present circumstances.
The physical features of the township as described by Mr. Prescott are quite varied. The surface is undulating, and in the northern part bluffy. Yellow river takes its course through the northerly part of the township, and has some remark- able features. It is formed from two branches, meeting on section 8 and almost immediately disappearing in the loose limestone formation of its bed, running underground for about two miles, then suddenly gushing out at the foot of the bluff, in one huge spring, on the northwest quarter of section 3. It is interest- ing to note that on some of the maps made by the early explorers of the upper Mississippi, this Yellow river was shown to have its source in a lake, a mistake probably occurring because of those writers imperfectly understanding the de- scription of this big spring given them by the Indians. Thence onward, the river is rapid, clear, and in its descent affording numerous mill sites, and from the influx of other large springs, very characteristic of this valley, scarcely freezes in winter. The south bank is skirted by a belt of heavy forest, extending com- pletely through and beyond the township lines, in width about one and a half to two miles. On the river bluffs pine was found in considerable quantities, though long since converted into early buildings. The belt of forest on the south side of the river consisted of the best varieties of oak, walnut, butternut, ash, hickory, maple, with basswood and poplar, and in spite of the white man's axe it continued to furnish its regular supply of fire wood and building materials in increased quantities for many years.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.